JP6614418B2 - Electronics, platforms and log applications - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including a platform for operating an application, a platform, and a log application.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic device including a platform that provides an API (Application Program Interface) called by an application is known. The electronic device can be expanded in function by installing an application. For example, the electronic device can provide a user with a more convenient and easier-to-use function. The platform is provided by an electronic device manufacturer, but the application may be provided by a third party as well as provided by the electronic device manufacturer.

  An application that appropriately uses the API provided by the platform may be created. However, in practice, there is an application that causes a malfunction by inappropriately using the API.

  As a pattern for improperly using an API, for example, a pattern in which an API is called when the internal state of an electronic device cannot process the API properly, or an API is called with an intention different from the original purpose. Patterns.

  As a pattern in which the API is called when the internal state of the electronic device cannot properly process the API, for example, the login processing API is called and the electronic device is executing the login processing. There is a pattern in which an API is newly called. If the API is called while the internal state of the electronic device cannot properly process the API, the electronic device stops operating, such as the electronic device processing entering an inappropriate loop and the screen being displayed is hardened. May end up.

  As a pattern in which the API is called with an intention different from the original purpose, for example, in order to stop the job being executed, the job information is erased where the API for stopping the job should be called. There is a pattern in which an API is called for a job being executed. Even if the API for deleting job information is called for a job that is being executed, the job being executed stops when the job information is deleted. For example, the job log is appropriate. There may be problems such as not remaining on the screen.

  Conventionally, as an electronic device equipped with a platform for operating an application, an OS (Operating System) for operating the application has been provided. When an abnormality occurs during the execution of the application, a trace program is dynamically generated according to the abnormality that has occurred. An image processing apparatus that acquires necessary history information from a running application using a trace program and stores the history information is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-049340 A

  However, the image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is not easy to identify the cause of a problem related to API calling by an application.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device, a platform, and a log application that can easily identify the cause of a malfunction related to API calling by an application.

  An electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device including a platform that provides an API (Application Program Interface) called by an application, and changes in an internal state of the electronic device and an API call as an API call by the application A log application for storing a log of changes in the electronic device, the platform causing the electronic device to implement change notification means for notifying the log application of the change in the internal state and the change in the API call, The log application causes the electronic device to implement log storage means for storing the change in the internal state and the change in the API call notified by the change notification means as the log. To do.

  With this configuration, the electronic device according to the present invention stores a log of changes in the internal state of the electronic device and changes in the API call by the application, thereby facilitating identification of the cause of the malfunction related to the API call by the application. Can do.

  In the electronic device of the present invention, the change in the internal state and the change in the API call are classified into a plurality of categories, and the log application causes the electronic device to realize category reception means for receiving designation of the category. The log storage unit may store, as the log, the change in the internal state and the change in the API call in the category that has been designated by the category reception unit among the plurality of categories. .

  With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention stores changes in the internal state of the electronic device and changes in the API call by the application only in the designated category as a log, thus reducing the processing burden of log storage. be able to. Therefore, the electronic device of the present invention can suppress the function of storing logs of changes in the internal state of the electronic device and changes in the API call by the application from interfering with other functions. Further, the electronic device of the present invention stores changes in the internal state of the electronic device and changes in the API call due to the application for only the specified category as a log. The analysis work can be facilitated.

  In the electronic device according to the aspect of the invention, the change notification unit may log the change in the internal state and the change in the API call in the category of which the designation is received by the category reception unit among the plurality of categories. You may notify the application.

  With this configuration, the electronic apparatus according to the present invention notifies the log application from the platform of the change in the internal state of the electronic apparatus and the change in the API call by the application only in the designated category. Notification burden can be reduced. Therefore, the electronic device of the present invention can suppress the function of storing logs of changes in the internal state of the electronic device and changes in the API call by the application from interfering with other functions.

  In the electronic device of the present invention, the log storage means may store the log in a storage device external to the electronic device.

  With this configuration, the electronic apparatus according to the present invention can store the electronic device in a storage device inside the electronic apparatus used by a function other than the log storage function of the change in the internal state of the electronic apparatus and the change in the API call by the application. Since the log of the change of the internal state of the device and the change of the API call by the application is not stored, the function of storing the log of the change of the internal state of the electronic device and the change of the API call by the application is different from the function. It is possible to suppress the obstruction of the function.

  The platform of the present invention provides an API (Application Program Interface) that is called by an application executed by an electronic device, and includes a change in an internal state of the electronic device and an API as a call to the API by the application. A change notification means for notifying the change of the internal state and the change of the API call is realized in the electronic device in a log application for storing a log of the change of the call.

  With this configuration, the electronic device that executes the platform of the present invention stores a log of changes in the internal state of the electronic device and changes in the API call by the application. Can be facilitated.

  The log application of the present invention stores a log of a change in an internal state of an electronic device including a platform that provides an API (Application Program Interface) called by the application and a change in an API call as the API call by the application. A log storage means for storing the change in the internal state notified by the platform and the change in the API call as the log in the electronic device.

  With this configuration, the electronic device that executes the log application of the present invention stores the log of the change in the internal state of the electronic device and the change in the API call by the application. Can be facilitated.

  The electronic device, the platform, and the log application of the present invention can facilitate the identification of the cause of the malfunction related to the API call by the application.

1 is a block diagram of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when a log information category is designated. It is a figure which shows an example of the information category designation | designated screen displayed in the operation | movement shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when storing changes in the internal state of the MFP as a log. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when storing API call changes as a log. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information in the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1 when an API call executed by an application is not of a category indicated in log target category information. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of information in the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when an API call executed by an application is of a category indicated by log target category information.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) as an electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of MFP 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 includes an operation unit 11 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, and a display unit 12 that is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A printer 13 that is a printing device that prints an image on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 14 that is a reading device that reads an image from a document, an external facsimile apparatus (not shown), and a communication line such as a public telephone line Communicates with an external device via a fax communication unit 15 which is a fax device that performs fax communication with a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or directly via wired or wireless without going through the network. Communication that is a communication device 16, an SD card, an interface 17 to which an external storage device 90 of the MFP 10 is connected, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a semiconductor memory for storing various information, and a nonvolatile such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) The storage unit 20 is a storage device, and the control unit 30 controls the entire MFP 10.

  The storage device 90 connected to the interface 17 can store, as a log 91, changes in the internal state of the MFP 10 and changes in API calls as API (Application Program Interface) calls described later by applications described later.

  Hereinafter, changes in the internal state of the MFP 10 and changes in the API call are referred to as log information. The log information is classified into a plurality of categories such as a login-related category related to login of the MFP 10, a job execution-related category related to job execution by the MFP 10, and a sleep-related category related to the sleep function of the MFP 10. Has been.

  The storage unit 20 stores firmware 21. The firmware 21 may be installed in the MFP 10 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 10, may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from the network. good.

  The firmware 21 includes a component for a FAX function that transmits and receives a FAX via the fax communication unit 15, a component for a print function that prints an image on a recording medium by the printer 13 based on print data, and specific conditions In this case, a component 21 a for each function of the MFP 10 is included, such as a component for a sleep function that turns off at least a part of the power of the MFP 10.

  The firmware 21 includes a platform 21b for operating an application described later. The platform 21b includes various APIs 21c for using the component 21a.

  The storage unit 20 can store various applications 22 that operate on the platform 21b. As the application 22, there is also a log application 22a for storing the log 91. The application 22 may be installed in the MFP 10 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 10, may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from the network. good.

  The storage unit 20 can store log target category information 23 indicating a category of target log information to be stored as the log 91.

  The control unit 30 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a program and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. Yes. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 20.

  The control unit 30 implements a change notification unit 31 that notifies the log application 22a of changes in the internal state of the MFP 10 and changes in the API call by executing the platform 21b.

  The control unit 30 executes the log application 22a, thereby storing a change in the internal state of the MFP 10 and a change in the API call notified by the change notification unit 31 as a log 91; A category receiving unit 33 that receives designation of a category of information is realized.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the MFP 10 when the log application 22a is installed will be described.

  For example, if a problem occurs when using the application 22, the user of the MFP 10 requests a service person to solve the problem. When requested by the user of the MFP 10 to resolve a problem that occurs when the application 22 is used, the service person goes to the installation location of the MFP 10 and instructs the operation unit 11 to install the log application 22a. Therefore, the control unit 30 of the MFP 10 installs the log application 22a in the MFP 10.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when the category of log information is designated will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 10 when the category of log information is designated.

  After the log application 22 a is installed in the MFP 10, when the service person instructs the display of the information category designation screen 40 (see FIG. 3) for designating the category of log information via the operation unit 11, the control unit 30. Performs the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the category receiving means 33 displays the information category designation screen 40 on the display unit 12 (S101).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the information category designation screen 40.

  The information category designation screen 40 shown in FIG. 3 includes a toggle switch 41 for designating whether or not to store log-related category log information, and whether or not to store job execution-related category log information. Includes a toggle switch 42 for designating, a toggle switch 43 for designating whether or not log information related to sleep-related categories is stored, and an OK button 44.

  Specific examples of log-related category log information will be described. As changes in the internal state of the MFP 10, for example, a change to “a state of accepting a login request”, a change to “a state of login processing”, a change to “a state of login”, and a “state of logout process” There is a change to "". Changes in the API call include, for example, the occurrence of a call for the API 21c for login processing, the occurrence of a call for the API 21c for logout processing, and the like.

  A specific example of log information in a category related to job execution will be described. As changes in the internal state of the MFP 10, for example, a change to a “scanning state”, a change to a “scanning completion state”, a change to a “faxing state”, and a change to a “FAX completion state” , A change to "copying status", a change to "copy completion status", and the like. Changes in API calls include, for example, the occurrence of a call to the API 21c for creating job information, the occurrence of a call to the API 21c for changing job settings such as color and monochrome, and the occurrence of a call to the API 21c for job execution. Etc. exist.

  A specific example of log information in the sleep-related category will be described. Examples of changes in the internal state of the MFP 10 include, for example, a change to “a state during transition from the normal startup state to the sleep state”, a change to “sleep state”, and a “transition from the sleep state to the normal start state” Change to “status”, and change to “normal startup status”. Changes in the API call include, for example, generation of a call to the API 21c for transition from the normal activation state to the sleep state, generation of a call to the API 21c for transition from the sleep state to the normal activation state, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the category receiving unit 33 determines whether or not the OK button 44 is pressed until it is determined that the OK button 44 is pressed (S102).

  When the category receiving unit 33 determines in S102 that the OK button 44 has been pressed, the category for which log information is stored by the toggle switches 41 to 43 when the OK button 44 is pressed is selected as the log target category. The information 23 is stored (S103).

  Next, the category receiving unit 33 ends the display of the information category designation screen 40 by the display unit 12 (S104), and ends the operation shown in FIG.

  After the operation shown in FIG. 2, the service person reproduces, for storing the log 91, the situation in which the trouble has occurred, which is heard from the user of the MFP 10.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when storing the log 91 will be described.

  First, the operation of the MFP 10 when storing changes in the internal state of the MFP 10 as the log 91 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP 10 when the change in the internal state of the MFP 10 is stored as the log 91.

  When the internal state of the MFP 10 changes, as shown in FIG. 4, the change notification unit 31 determines whether or not the changed internal state belongs to the category indicated in the log target category information 23 (S131).

  If the change notification unit 31 determines in S131 that the changed internal state is of the category indicated in the log target category information 23, the change notification unit 31 notifies the log application 22a of this change (S132). That is, the change notification unit 31 performs observer notification.

  Therefore, the log storage unit 32 stores the change in the internal state of the MFP 10 notified in S132 as the log 91 (S133).

  If the change notification unit 31 determines in S131 that the changed internal state is not of the category indicated in the log target category information 23, the change notification unit 31 does not notify the log application 22a of this change. Therefore, this change is not stored as the log 91.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when storing API call changes as the log 91 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP 10 when storing a change in API call as the log 91.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the application 22 executes an API call (S161), the platform 21b instructs the component 21a to execute an operation by the API 21c according to the API call executed in S161 (S162).

  When the component 21a executes the operation instructed in S162 (S163), the component 21a notifies the API 21c of the execution result (S164). Therefore, the platform 21b notifies the execution result notified in S164 to the application 22 (S165).

  When the execution result is notified in S164, the change notification unit 31 determines whether or not the API call executed in S161 belongs to the category indicated in the log target category information 23 (S166).

  If the change notification means 31 determines in S166 that the API call executed in S161 belongs to the category indicated in the log target category information 23, the change notification means 31 notifies the change in the API call to the log application 22a (S167). That is, the change notification unit 31 performs observer notification.

  Therefore, the log storage unit 32 stores the API call change notified in S167 as the log 91 (S168).

  If the change notification unit 31 determines in S166 that the API call executed in S161 is not in the category indicated in the log target category information 23, the change notification unit 31 does not notify the log application 22a of the change in the API call. Therefore, this API call change is not stored as the log 91.

  That is, when the API call executed by the application 22 is not in the category indicated in the log target category information 23, the platform 21b performs conventional information between the application 22 and the component 21a as shown in FIG. However, if the API call executed by the application 22 belongs to the category indicated in the log target category information 23, the conventional information is exchanged between the application 22 and the component 21a as shown in FIG. In addition, the log application 22a is notified of the API call change.

  The service person reproduces the situation where the malfunction occurred, which is heard from the user of the MFP 10, and then analyzes the log 91 stored by the MFP 10 to identify the cause of the malfunction and eliminate the malfunction.

  The service person can uninstall the log application 22a from the MFP 10 after identifying the cause of the malfunction.

  As described above, the MFP 10 stores the log 91 of the change in the internal state of the MFP 10 and the change in the API call by the application 22, thereby facilitating the identification of the cause of the malfunction related to the API 21 c calling by the application 22. be able to.

  Since the MFP 10 stores the change in the internal state of the MFP 10 and the change in the API call by the application 22 only in the designated category as the log 91, the processing load of storing the log 91 can be reduced. Therefore, the MFP 10 has functions for storing the log 91 of changes in the internal state of the MFP 10 and changes in the API call by the application 22 other than the functions (for example, other than the FAX function, the print function, the sleep function, and the log 91). The log storage function etc.) can be prevented from being hindered.

  Since the MFP 10 stores the change in the internal state of the MFP 10 and the change in the API call by the application 22 only in the designated category as the log 91, the size of the log 91 is reduced and the analysis work of the log 91 by the operator is performed. Can be facilitated.

  Since the MFP 10 notifies the log application 22a from the platform 21b of changes in the internal state of the MFP 10 and changes in the API call by the application 22 for only the designated category, the notification load from the platform 21b to the log application 22a is reduced. can do. Therefore, the MFP 10 can suppress the function of storing the log 91 of the change in the internal state of the MFP 10 and the change in the API call by the application 22 from interfering with functions other than the function.

  The MFP 10 uses storage devices (for example, the storage unit 20 and the control unit 30) inside the MFP 10 that are used by functions other than the function of storing the log 91 of changes in the internal state of the MFP 10 and changes in API calls by the application 22. Since the log 91 of the change in the internal state of the MFP 10 and the change in the API call by the application 22 is not stored in the RAM or the like), the log 91 of the change in the internal state of the MFP 10 and the change in the API call by the application 22 It is possible to suppress the memory function from interfering with functions other than the function.

  Note that when the MFP 10 writes information to the external storage device 90, the information writing speed is generally slower than when the MFP 10 writes information to the internal storage device. However, in the log 91, the amount of information written by one writing is small in the first place, and the writing frequency is not so high. Therefore, the MFP 10 can appropriately store the log 91 even when the log 91 is stored in the external storage device 90.

  The MFP 10 may store logs of changes in the internal state of the MFP 10 and changes in API calls by the application 22 in a storage device inside the MFP 10.

  The electronic apparatus according to the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than the MFP, such as a printer dedicated machine or a copy dedicated machine, or an electronic apparatus other than the image forming apparatus, such as a PC (Personal Computer). But it ’s okay.

10 MFP (electronic equipment)
21b platform 21c API
22 Application 22a Log application 31 Change notification means 32 Log storage means 33 Category reception means 90 Storage device 91 Log

Claims (6)

An electronic device including a platform that provides an API (Application Program Interface) called by an application,
Changes in the internal state of the electronic device;
A log application for storing a log of a change in an API call as a call to the API by the application;
The platform causes the electronic device to implement change notification means for notifying the log application of changes in the internal state and changes in the API call,
The log application causes the electronic device to implement log storage means for storing the change in the internal state and the change in the API call notified by the change notification means as the log. . The internal state change and the API call change are classified into a plurality of categories,
The log application causes the electronic device to realize category receiving means for receiving the category designation,
The log storage means stores, as the log, changes in the internal state and changes in the API call of the category that has been designated by the category acceptance means among the plurality of categories. The electronic device according to claim 1.   The change notification unit notifies the log application of a change in the internal state and a change in the API call in the category of which the designation is received by the category reception unit among the plurality of categories. The electronic device according to claim 2.   The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the log storage unit stores the log in a storage device external to the electronic device. A platform that provides an API (Application Program Interface) called by an application executed by an electronic device,
A change in the internal state of the electronic device;
A change notification means for notifying a change in the internal state and a change in the API call to the log application for storing a log of changes in the API call as the API call by the application is realized in the electronic device Platform characterized by letting you. A change in the internal state of an electronic device including a platform that provides an API (Application Program Interface) called by an application;
A log application for storing a log of a change in an API call as a call to the API by the application,
A log application that causes the electronic device to implement log storage means for storing the change in the internal state notified by the platform and the change in the API call as the log.

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